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Trauma Reactions

Adult Common Psychological Or Emotional Symptoms:

RE-EXPERIENCING THE CRIME
  • recurrent and intrusive memories of the crime
  • recurrent dreams of the crime
  • flashbacks
  • intense discomfort with events that remind you of the crime
AVOIDANCE REACTIONS
  • avoiding thoughts or feelings associated with the crime
  • avoiding activities or situations that remind you of the crime
  • inability to recall an important aspect of the crime
  • decreased interest in people or activities
  • feeling cut-off from yourself or others (restricted range of feelings)
  • hopelessness about the future
REOCCURRING SYMPTOMS
  • sleep disturbance
  • change in eating habits
  • crying easily
  • difficulty concentrating (extreme alertness or easily startled)
  • physical problems (e.g., headaches, stomach pains, muscle tension)
OTHER COMMON SYMPTOMS
  • fear of it happening again depression
  • guilt
  • shame
  • increased family conflict
  • increased alcohol or drug use
  • shock and/or denial difficulty coping with ordinary life
  • odd or irrational behavior
THE ADDITIONAL REACTIONS THAT CHILDREN OR ADOLESCENTS MAY EXPERIENCE:
  • regression to younger behaviors
  • enuresis (bed-wetting)
  • crankiness, clinging, possessiveness
  • afraid of sleeping in their own bed
  • increased crying over simple things
  • night terrors
  • separation anxiety (fear of leaving you)
  • refusal to go to school
What Victims Commonly Need
  • a place (mentally and physically) of safety or shelter
  • empathy
  • a non-judgmental listener who will treat the communication in confidence
  • assistance in finding appropriate counseling and/or medical help
  • someone who is familiar with community resources
  • assistance in arrangements such as funerals, insurance details, filing claims and certificates
  • someone educated in trauma reaction to help normalize the emotions/thoughts being experienced



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